St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-01
He LETS FLETCHER OUT.
Gov. McGill Talks on the Case of War
den Stord0ck.
WHY HE WAS MADE WARDEN
No limitations as to the Report From
the Investigation COM
mittee.

Gov. McGill said last evening that no
complaint against Warden Stordock, of
the Saltwater penitentiary, had been
made to him, although Mr.. Marsh had
told him Saturday that he proposed pre-
ferring charges. Il do not want to try
this case in the newspapers" continued
the governor, .'but one thing do de-
sire, and that is to see justice admin
lstered fairly, and shall show no par
TALLY in any direction, no matter who
is hit. After the committee to investi-
gate the conduct of ex-War-
den Reed was appointed and
had begun their examination, Mr..
Marsh made accusations against Warden
StordOck which l thought justified me
III instructing the committee to enlarge
the scope of their researches so as to in
clude the eX-Official and his successor.
Subsequently | was informed that the
committee had heard testimony on all
the charges against StOrdock except the
one reciting that improper means had
been resorted to i'll order to secure his
appointment. This they did not think
came within their Jurisdiction. but re-
GREETED very much that they did not fol-
low it up. There have been allegations
that StOrdock was made warden of the
Saltwater prison as reward for pOlit-
zeal services, and that MIR. Fletcher had
been one of his strongest indOrSerS. As
matter of fact, however, Mr.. Fletcher
was opposed to StOrdOck, who secured
his position on the recommendations of
his
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.
was naturally anxious that the com
Af IL
quiry, as it would have tendency i'll
their report to put quietuS upon the
rumOrs that were rife.
Up to the present time | have not re-
ceived an intimatiCn of any sort from
the committee as to the nature of their
report i'll the prison investigation, not
even an outline, nor do L know when
they will be ready to submit one. There
will be a reaction in public opinion if
the attacks upon Warden Stordock are
persisted i'll, for to many persons 1t VIII
assume the nature not OF prosecution
for the good of the public, but a perse-
cution to- carry out private
pared to say just now what action |
shall take in the premises growing out
Of the complaint of Mr.. Marsh, still L
trust will not do any one an injustice,
10 matter who his accuSerS may be.
Any person can make complaint of
criminal performances, but there must
of necessity be proof before condem-
nation of the person accused. As to the
alleged libelOus publication in the
Prison Mirror regarding eX-Warden
Reed, | have no concern since
the paper is under the con-
troll of the prison inspectors
who allowed it to be printed and circu-
lated. These gentlemen also have juriS-
diotiOn in investigating the escape of
prisoner recently, as well as to COM
plants of insufficient and poor food for
the inmates at Saltwater. The warden,
although appointed by the governor it
is true, is subordinate to the board of
inspectors, and they should be held re-
SponSible for his dOingS. SO must per-
force await a report from the committee
that investigated the alleged abuses be-
fore can put myself on record in any
manner, shape or form.